“The unit, initially launched in 2003, had a daily capacity of 400 tons. This has now been raised by 80 tons after 16 years,” IRNA quoted Seyed Reza Qasemi Shahri as saying. Built by domestic engineers, it will help compensate a 7% drop in sales of the petrochemicals the company experienced in the first 7 months of the current year (started in March) compared to last year, he said. Established in 1998, Tondgooyan produces raw materials for downstream industries such as textile and packaging. Located in Mahshahr City, Khuzestan Province, the plant is the largest supplier of polyethylene terephthalate, better known PET. It also produces Purified Therephtalic Acid (PTA) as one of the main raw materials for PET. PET is a clear, strong, and lightweight plastic that is widely used for packaging foods and beverages, especially convenience-sized soft drinks, juices and water, according to Financial Tribune.